FAQs

The Open Space Strategy is a long‑term plan that guides how public open spaces are provided and managed across East Gippsland Shire. These spaces support our wellbeing by providing places for recreation, social connection and cultural activities, and by helping make our neighborhoods more attractive and enjoyable.

The Open Space Strategy focuses on looking after existing public open spaces and planning for future needs, so communities continue to have access to quality open space as towns grow and change.

The Natural Reserves Management Strategy is different. It focuses specifically on around 130 Council‑managed reserves that contain important native vegetation and provide habitat for local wildlife. This strategy looks at how Council can best protect and enhance biodiversity on these reserves, while making the most effective use of available resources.

Council looks after more than 130 natural reserves across East Gippsland. These reserves are important places for native plants, animals and the wider community, but they also face a range of challenges. These include invasive weeds and pest animals, erosion, pressure from nearby land use, and the growing impacts of fire, flooding and climate change.

Council also has responsibilities under State and Commonwealth laws to protect biodiversity and manage these threats. The Natural Reserves Management Strategy will provide a clear, evidence‑based way to plan and prioritise works across our reserves over the medium to long term. This will help ensure finite Council resources are used wisely and where they can make the biggest difference.

Our community has already told us that conserving and protecting biodiversity values is important to them, and how significant the natural environment is to the livability of the area.

The Strategy will benefit the community by providing Council staff with guidance on where and how to use limited resources to maximum effect.  This benefits the community by providing the most cost efficient and effective management of natural reserves 

This will provide community with knowledge of the priority actions for each reserve and may allow an additional opportunity for community input. 

No the Strategy will not impact private property near Council managed reserves.  The Strategy will only include recommendations and actions that will be undertaken on reserve.

A council managed natural reserve is an area of land preserved and cared for by local government to protect natural environments to promote healthy landscapes. These reserves can also provide low impact recreation opportunities for the community.

These may include:

1. Natural environment

• These reserves often include native vegetation such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, or coastal bush.
• They provide habitat for local wildlife, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects.
• The goal is to preserve biodiversity and maintain natural ecosystems.

2. Local council management

• The reserve is owned or overseen by a municipal council.
• Council staff or contractors manage tasks such as:
  • Weed control and habitat restoration
  • Track and facility maintenance
  • Monitoring wildlife and environmental health

3. Public access and recreation

• Most council reserves are open to the public for low-impact activities such as:
  • Walking and hiking
  • Birdwatching
  • Cycling (in some areas)
  • Nature study and photography
• Facilities may include walking tracks, signage, lookouts, picnic areas, and sometimes toilets or car parks.

4. Conservation focus

• Human use is carefully managed to avoid damage to sensitive environments.
• Rules often apply, such as:
  • No littering or off-track walking
  • Keeping dogs on leads (or restricting them entirely)
  • Prohibiting fires or collection of plants/animals
• Some areas may be closed seasonally to protect wildlife breeding habitats.

5. Community involvement

• Local volunteers often help with:
  • Tree planting and restoration projects
  • Wildlife monitoring
  • Clean-up events
• Educational programs and signage help visitors understand the ecological importance of the reserve.